Amsterdam Bar & Hall: First look at the new downtown St. Paul venue

Downtown St. Paul is about to get a whole lot cooler. In just a week, the new restaurant and music venue Amsterdam Bar & Hall, which is a new venture by the 331 Club's Jon and Jarret Oulman, will be ready to open its doors to the public for the first time. In addition to bringing in Zoo Animal frontwoman Holly Newsom and songwriter Martin Devaney as bookers, we've also just learned that former Turf Club manager Dave Wiegardt will be on the staff at the new club -- all of which seems to bode well for the vibe of the new place.

"I've been here for the last week helping set up," Wiegardt tells us. "They've repurposed a lot of the old fixtures from Pop! into new fixtures (for instance the patio rail frameworks used to be a giant walk-in wine rack). There are two stages and a yet-to-be-hung divider wall to keep the space more intimate on quieter nights. So much to do obviously before the first shows next week, but it's gonna be so much fun!!!"

The Amsterdam Bar & Hall will christen its new stage with a show by Red Pens and BNLX on Thursday, September 1, followed by a show with the Goondas and Ghostmouth on Friday, September 2.

For a sneak peek into the new space, check out these photos by Dave Wiegardt: